John Blair, Public Service Chair for the George Washington Chapter, presented the SAR Life Saving medal to Alexandria Sherriff Deputies Jason Bebow and Julio Ocasio.  On November 21, 2019, Deputy Jason Bebow and Deputy Julio Ocasio were working at the Adult Detention Center when their actions resulted in the rescue of an inmate. Deputy Bebow and Deputy Ocasio were on duty in the booking area and were on their way to handle pat down searches of inmates returning from court for the day. As they walked down a hall, the deputies, always vigilant, took care to look through the windows of the cells that they passed. Deputy Bebow, with Deputy Ocasio just behind him, was passing by a cell when he noticed that an inmate had strips of a torn wool blanket wrapped around his neck. Both deputies immediately entered the cell and removed the tightly wrapped blanket pieces from the inmate’s neck.

Deputy Ocasio called for medical personnel and a supervisor to respond to the cell. Before help arrived, the deputies laid the inmate on his mattress and because he did not respond to them, they began chest rubs. Soon the deputies noticed that the inmate’s chest was rising and falling, and they could feel a heartbeat. When the medical team arrived, they checked the inmate’s vital signs and further evaluated him. He was eventually placed in a safety smock for his own protection and he would receive appropriate medical and mental health services. It was evident to the deputies that this inmate had the means and intention of taking his own life. If not for the quick response and life saving measures demonstrated by both deputies, this incident could have had truly tragic results. 
 
Also, on October 28,  the SAR Life Saving Medal was awarded to Alexandria Deputy Sheriff Devon Neckles and Alexadria Police Officer Shakita Warren.  On October 11, 2019, Deputy Devon Neckles was assigned to serve civil paperwork for the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and was on the street in his marked cruiser. A call was dispatched to Alexandria Police to “check on the welfare” of a resident who did not report to work as required. Officer Shakita Warren indicated that it would take her some time to get to the location, just off Richmond Highway, as she was coming from the West End so Deputy Neckles, who was nearby, volunteered to assist because he recognized the seriousness of the call and how far away Officer Warren was.  Being the first unit on the scene, Deputy Neckles contacted the individual, who appeared to be unnerved by the presence of a uniformed deputy. Drawing upon his skills and training as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) member and instructor, Deputy Neckles began to use certain techniques to help guide his interaction with the individual, and after having the man step outside his apartment, he learned that the man was upset about losing his job. Officer Warren, also trained in CIT, arrived on the scene and began speaking with the man while Deputy Neckles followed up with the man’s former employer who had initiated the call.  All three then went inside the apartment so they could speak in private, and the man sat down on the couch. Officer Warren noticed a letter and the man told them it was a “goodbye” letter he had just finished. Deputy Neckles inquired how the man was planning to commit suicide and the man stated that he was going to shoot himself. He admitted that he would have done so if Deputy Neckles hadn’t arrived on the scene when he did.

Both the deputy and the officer learned that the man had two handguns and he told them where they could find them. Deputy Neckles went into an adjacent bedroom, found the loaded handguns, and emptied them for their safety and for safekeeping. 
They explained to the man that he would need to get help and he agreed to go voluntarily to Inova Alexandria Hospital for evaluation. He has since been cleared by mental health professionals and reunited with his family out of state.

Officer Warren later told Deputy Neckles’ supervisors that had he not arrived when he did and convinced the man to come out of his apartment, the outcome would have been very different. The man himself said that had Deputy Neckles arrived even moments later, they would have found his body. If not for Deputy Neckles’ initial alertness and proactive approach, and the quick response, crisis intervention training, and life saving measures by both Deputy Neckles and Officer Warren, this incident could have had a much different and tragic outcome.

Submitted by John Blair

     Today in Yowell Meadow Park, Culpeper Virginia, the Town of Culpeper and the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter dedicated a joint Culpeper Minutemen / Charters of Freedom monument and display before a crowd estimated by the local paper as nearly 200..  The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter has worked on this project for over five years, and the Charters of Freedom display was added two years ago.  The project was initially conceived by late compatriot Lon Lacey, Jr., and was kick started by a significant commitment from the Virginia SAR Knight Patty Fund.  It was brought to completion with significant effort by Culpeper Minutemen Member and Town Councilman Keith Price.
      Dignitaries attending the ceremony were Culpeper Mayor Michael T. Olinger, Virginia SAR President and Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Member Bill Schwetke, Virginia DAR Regent LeAnn Turbyfill, Virginia C.A.R. President Catie Wasenko, and Virginia C.A.R. Senior President Stacey Wajciechowski.
     Thirty SAR compatriots attended the ceremony, representing nine Virginia SAR Chapters and one West Virginia Chapter.  Eighteen participated in the Color Guard, and ten fired in the musket volley.  Virginia Chapters attending included Col William Grayson, Col James Wood II, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, Fort Harrison, George Mason, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Williamsburg.
     Kieth Price of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter lead the effort for this display for the past two years and was the Master of Ceremonies for the dedication.  The Prelude to the ceremony was Revolutionary Fife and Drum Music by Lon Lacey III and Alan Lacey.  VFW Post 2524 Color Guard presented the National Colors and fifteen SAR Color Guardsmen carried SAR and Historic flags.  Rev Ludwell Brown of Mount Cavalry Baptist Church in Haywood gave the Invocation and Culpeper Sheriff's Deputy Melvin White sang the National Anthem.  Remarks were delivered by Mayor Michael Olinger, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter President Charles Jameson, Culpeper Minute Men Chapter NSDAR Regent Carol Simpson, Virginia DAR Regent LeAnn Turbyfill, and Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke.  Then the Charters of Freedom were presented by Foundation Forward Founder Vance Patterson to the Town of Culpeper.
     The program concluded with  the raising of flags (Grand Union and Culpeper Battalion Flag) at the monument, with a musket volley as they reached the tops of the flag poles, and then an overhead flight by four WWII aircraft from the Commemorative Air Force.

​On October 24, the George Washington Chapter memorialized three patriots of the American Revolution, John Longden, John Sloan, and Joseph Smith, at a grave marking ceremony at Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery in Alexandria.  Pastor Grace Han delivered the invocation.  Paul Walden, Grave Marking Chairman, served as Master of Ceremonies.  Wreaths were presented by the following SAR and DAR chapters:  George Washington VASSAR, Kate Waller Barrett VADAR, Col. William Grayson VASSAR, George Mason VASSAR, and George Mason VADAR.   The markers were then dedicated by VASSAR Historian, Thomas M. Roth, III.  Andrew and Jack Mills served as Color Guards by posting the colors.
 Submitted by Paul Walden.  Photos by Tom Roth.  

Photo on left:  Ronald Adolphi (at center), shown with his membership certificate, was inducted into membership on October 21, 2020 in an outdoor ceremony at the Magazine in Colonial Williamsburg.  The induction was performed by Chapter President Roger Cross (on left).  Accompanying Adolphi was his wife, Celia (on right), who is regent of the Williamsburg Chapter DAR.
 
Photo on right:  Williamsburg Chapter President Roger Cross congratulating Ronald Adolphi and welcoming him as a new compatriot of the chapter.
 
Photos by:  David Westenberger
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

​George Corbett, chapter flag recognition chairman, presented three Flag Recognition Certificates for exemplary patriotism in proper display of the American Flag.
Photos, left to right:
    1st:     Corbett, Linda and David Westenberger
    2nd:    Corbett, Joni and John Stevens
    3rd:     Glenda Wade, Corbett
 
Photos Credit: Karen Corbett
 
Submitted by: Harley Stewart             

Edmund Davidson, Chapter President,   presented a Flag Certificate to Gary Argenbright of Churchville, VA on September 26.  

​In a ceremony at Freedom Park, James City County, on September 26, 2020 George Corbett was presented an Oak Leaf Cluster for his Silver Roger Sherman Medal in recognition and appreciation of outstanding services rendered to the Sons of the American Revolution.  He was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Virginia Society for his service as Chairman of its Partners in Patriotism and Veterans Affairs Committeee.
 
George Corbett is a past president of the Richmond Chapter and chairman of the Williamsburg Chapter’s Flag Recognition Program.  Pictured, left to right, are Corbett and Roger Cross, Chapter President, who presented  the awards.  In the background are Color Guards William Greaf and Bob White.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart
 

​In a ceremony at Freedom Park, James City County, on September 26, 2020 Laura Truslow was presented a Bronze Congress Appreciation Medal of the National Society recognizing her exemplary service preparing for the 130th Congress of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Pictured, left to right, are Truslow and Roger Cross, Williamsburg Chapter President,  who made the presentation and conveyed the thanks of Virginia Society President Bill Schwetke and Secretary Wayne Rouse for the work she did in supporting the Virginia Society’s preparation for the National Congress.  In the background are Color Guards William Greaf and Bob White. 
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

 ​Left to right are new members Robert Lindberg and Bryant Ward, displaying their National Society Sons of the American Revolution membership certificates, presented to them by Roger Cross, Chapter President in a ceremony at Freedom Park, James City County on September 26, 2020.  In the background are Color Guards William Greaf and Robert White.  Lindberg’s patriot ancestor was Joseph Reading of NJ; Ward’s patriot ancestor was Stephen Eure of NC. Submitted by Harley Stewart.